Chris Bassitt not expected to return to Toronto as he is closing in on new deal
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Victor William
Jan 24, 2026 (7:41 PM)
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Photo credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images
Chris Bassitt heading to South Florida would immediately stabilize a Miami Marlins rotation currently held together by duct tape and prayer.
The news cycle is spinning fast in Miami after Peter Bendix traded away major pieces.
Dealing Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers in the same month has left a massive hole in the depth chart.
Sandy Alcantara is the undisputed leader but he cannot carry this staff alone. Behind him the Marlins are leaning on unproven arms like Eury Perez and Max Meyer to eat significant innings.
Adding a veteran like Bassitt is no longer a luxury for this franchise. It is a mandatory move to avoid a complete pitching collapse before the All-Star break.
The 36-year-old right-hander is the definition of a workhorse in today's game.
He has logged at least 170 innings in each of the last four seasons while maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA.
You can see the veteran poise in every high-leverage strikeout as he nibbles the corners with elite precision.
Chris Bassitt signing would save the Miami Marlins season
Fans in Little Havana are oscillating between total confusion and cautious optimism. The "retooling" phase feels a lot like a fire sale to the average ticket holder.
Bassitt was drafted in the 16th round back in 2011 and has zero service time concerns. He is a finished product who understands how to navigate the NL East buzzsaw.
His 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays showed he still has gas in the tank. He finished with double-digit wins for the sixth consecutive full season.
Miami currently sits with a roster focused on the Luxury Tax (CBT) floor rather than the ceiling. Bringing in a 10-game winner changes that narrative instantly.
The clubhouse needs a stabilizing force to mentor the younger prospects. Without a veteran presence the development of Max Meyer could easily stall under too much pressure.
Expect a short-term deal if Bendix pulls the trigger. A two-year pact would fit the current financial window perfectly.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
2-for-1 trade offer announced sending Jose Berrios to the Atlanta Braves
2-for-1 trade offer announced sending Jose Berrios to the Atlanta Braves
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 24|370 ANSWERS Chris Bassitt not expected to return to Toronto as he is closing in on new deal Should the Marlins spend big to land Chris Bassitt? | ||
| Yes | 217 | 58.6 % |
| No | 153 | 41.4 % |
| List of polls | ||